Electronic Quality Indicator

ABSTRACT

A visually sensible indicator of temperature including electronic temperature sensing circuitry sensing at least when a temperature exceeds at least one predetermined temperature threshold and providing at least one corresponding threshold exceedance output which is sensible as heat and a heat-responsive visually sensible display which is responsive to the at least one threshold exceedance output for providing at least one visually sensible indication indicating that the temperature has exceeded the predetermined temperature threshold.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/189,367 entitled LOW TEMPERATURE EXCEEDANCE QUALITY INDICATOR ANDOTHER QUALITY INDICATORS, filed Jul. 7, 2015, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimedpursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a)(4) and (5)(i).

Reference is also made to the following US Patents and PatentApplications, owned by the assignee, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,562,811; 8,091,776; 8,807,422; 579193; 8,540,156;8,528,808; 8,196,821; 8,950,664; 8,500; 014; 8,967,467 and

U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. 2011/0006109; 2014/0353385;2014/0252096; 2015/0053776; 2012/0145781; 2013/0334301; and2012/0104105.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to quality indicators and moreparticularly to electronic quality indicators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of electronic quality indicators are known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an electronic quality indicatorfor indicating exceedance of low temperature thresholds and otherthresholds.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a visually sensible indicator of temperature includingelectronic temperature sensing circuitry sensing at least when atemperature exceeds at least one predetermined temperature threshold andproviding at least one corresponding threshold exceedance output whichis sensible as heat and a heat-responsive visually sensible displaywhich is responsive to the at least one threshold exceedance output forproviding at least one visually sensible indication indicating that thetemperature has exceeded the predetermined temperature threshold.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is machine readable.

Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible indication is humanreadable.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is at least a part of a barcode.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is rendering a bar codeunreadable.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theexceedance of the predetermined temperature threshold is falling below agiven temperature.

Additionally or alternatively, the exceedance of the predeterminedtemperature threshold is rising above a given temperature.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the exceedance of one of the at least one predeterminedtemperature threshold is falling below a given temperature andexceedance of another of the at least one predetermined temperaturethreshold is rising above a given temperature.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the rising above a given temperature is indicated by theheat-responsive visually sensible display independent of an output ofthe electronic temperature sensing circuitry.

Preferably, the heat-responsive visually sensible display employs athermochromic material.

Preferably, the electronic temperature sensing circuitry includes amechanism operative to prevent overheating thereof. There is furtherprovided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a visually sensible indicator of at least one parameterincluding at least one of temperature, time above or below a giventemperature range, humidity and impact, the indicator includingelectronic sensing circuitry sensing at least when the at least oneparameter exceeds a predetermined threshold and providing a thresholdexceedance output which is sensible as heat and a heat-responsivevisually sensible display which is responsive to the thresholdexceedance output for providing a visually sensible indicationindicating that the at least one parameter has exceeded thepredetermined threshold.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is machine readable.

Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible indication is humanreadable.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is at least a part of a barcode.

Preferably, the visually sensible indication is rendering a bar codeunreadable.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theexceedance of the predetermined threshold is falling below a giventemperature.

Additionally or alternatively, the exceedance of the predeterminedthreshold is rising above a given temperature.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the exceedance of one of the at least one predeterminedthreshold is falling below a given temperature and exceedance of anotherof the at least one predetermined threshold is rising above a giventemperature.

Preferably, the rising above a given temperature is indicated by theheat-responsive visually sensible display independent of an output ofthe electronic at least one parameter sensing circuitry.

Preferably, the heat-responsive visually sensible display employs athermochromic material.

Preferably, the electronic sensing circuitry includes a mechanismoperative to prevent overheating thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified schematic respective exploded andassembled view illustrations of a quality indicator in a firsttemperature state thereof, constructed and operative in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified schematic respective exploded andassembled view illustrations of a quality indicator of a type shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B in a second temperature state thereof;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified schematic respective exploded andassembled view illustrations of a quality indicator in a firsttemperature state thereof, constructed and operative in accordance withanother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified schematic respective exploded andassembled view illustrations of a quality indicator of a type shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B in a second temperature state thereof;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified partially conceptual diagrams ofelectronic circuitry functionality, useful in a quality indicator oftypes shown in FIGS. 1A-4B;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing electronic components useful in aquality indicator of types shown in FIGS. 1A-4B;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified respective exploded and assembled viewillustrations of a quality indicator constructed and operative inaccordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,showing a first state thereof;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are simplified respective exploded and assembled viewillustrations of a quality indicator of the type shown in FIGS. 7A and7B, showing a second state thereof;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are simplified respective exploded and assembled viewillustrations of a quality indicator of a type shown in FIGS. 7A-8B,showing a third state thereof; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are simplified respective exploded and assembled viewillustrations of a quality indicator of a type shown in FIGS. 7A-9B,showing a fourth state thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are simplified schematicrespective exploded and assembled view illustrations of a qualityindicator in a first temperature state thereof, constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is provided a quality indicator 100,preferably operating as a visually sensible indicator of at least oneparameter, including at least one of temperature, time above or below agiven temperature or temperature range, humidity and impact. Qualityindicator 100 preferably includes electronic sensing circuitry 102 forsensing at least when the at least one parameter monitored by qualityindicator 100 exceeds a predetermined threshold. Upon exceedance of apredetermined threshold by quality indicator 100, electronic sensingcircuitry 102 preferably provides a threshold exceedance output sensibleas heat. The heat output of electronic circuitry 102 preferably causesan alteration in the visual appearance of quality indicator 100, therebyproviding a visual indication of quality indicator 100 having exceededthe predetermined threshold, as will be detailed henceforth.

Here, by way of example, electronic sensing circuitry 102 is shown toinclude a battery 104 electrically connected to at least one electronicsensing element, here embodied as a sensor 106. Sensing element 106 maybe any type of electronic component or routed arrangement of componentsfor electronically sensing exceedance of a predetermined threshold bythe at least one parameter monitored by quality indicator 100. By way ofexample, sensor 106 may be at least one of a heat sensor, humiditysensor and/or impact sensor.

Circuitry 102 preferably includes at least one heat-generating element,here embodied as a heat-generating filament 108, which filament 108 ispreferably operative to provide an output indicating exceedance of theat least one threshold, as sensed by sensor 106, which output issensible as heat. Battery 104, sensor 106 and filament 108 comprisingcircuitry 102 may be located on a supporting surface of qualityindicator 100, such as a printed circuitry board (PCB) layer 110. It isappreciated that circuitry 102 is shown in a highly simplified form inFIGS. 1A and 1B and may include additional and/or alternative electroniccomponents. Further details concerning possible configurations ofcircuitry 102 will be provided henceforth with reference to FIGS. 5A-6.

Quality indicator 100 further preferably includes a heat-responsivevisually sensible display 120, responsive to the threshold exceedanceoutput of filament 108 of circuitry 102. Heat-responsive visuallysensible display 120 preferably employs a thermochromic material 122,such as a thermal paper 122, located in close proximity to filament 108,such that an appearance of thermal paper 122 is modified upon filament108 becoming hot, following exceedance of the threshold as sensed bysensor circuitry 102. The change in appearance of thermal paper 122 thusprovides a visually sensible indication of exceedance of a predeterminedthreshold by the at least one monitored parameter.

Here, by way of example, the change in appearance of thermochromicmaterial 122 may be viewed by a user of quality indicator 100 through atransparent window 124 formed in an exterior upper surface 126 ofquality indicator 100. An appearance of transparent window 124 may thusbe interpreted by a user of quality indicator 100 as indicative ofwhether quality indicator 100 has exceeded a predetermined threshold.Alternatively, thermal paper 122 may itself form an upper surface ofquality indicator 100, such that the change in appearance of thermalpaper 122 may be directly viewable by a user. In this case, additionalupper surface 126 including transparent window 124 may be obviated.

The modification of thermal paper 122 upon heating thereof is preferablyirreversible, such that window 124 continues to appear colored followingexceedance of a predetermined threshold as sensed and indicated bycircuitry 102, independent of the present conditions to which qualityindicator is subject. As a result, quality indicator 100 provides avisually sensible indication of possible exposure to unacceptableconditions in the history of quality indicator 100, irrespective of thepresent state of the quality indicator.

The operation of quality indicator 100 will now be exemplified andfurther detailed with reference to FIGS. 1A-2B, with reference to whichquality indicator 100 is described as operating as a visually sensibleindicator of temperature. However, it is appreciated that the followingdescription also applies to the operation of quality indicator 100 as avisually sensible indicator of parameters other than temperature, suchas time or cumulative time above or below a given temperature ortemperature range, humidity and/or impact, with appropriatemodifications as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, quality indicator 100 is seen to be ina first temperature state, at a temperature T above a thresholdtemperature T_(threshold). In this embodiment of quality indicator 100,quality indicator 100 is preferably operative as a low-temperatureindicator, for indicating exceedance of a low-temperature thresholdeither by the environment within which quality indicator 100 is locatedor by a temperature-sensitive item to which quality indicator 100 may beaffixed. Such items may include, by way of example, chemical orbiological materials, food products and vaccines.

It is appreciated that quality indicator 100 may alternatively operateas a high-temperature indicator for indicating exceedance of ahigh-temperature threshold, or as a ‘time and temperature’ indicator,for indicating exceedance of a high or low temperature threshold ortemperature range for a cumulative predetermined threshold period oftime.

Electronic sensing circuitry 102 is here preferably operative aselectronic temperature sensing circuitry, for sensing when thetemperature of quality indicator 100 exceeds a predetermined temperaturethreshold, and more particularly when the temperature of qualityindicator 100 falls below a predetermined temperature. For this purpose,sensor 106 operates a temperature sensor which may be set to any desiredlow temperature threshold such as, by way of example, 2° C. Sensor 106is preferably operative to prevent current flow through filament 108 attemperatures above T_(threshold) and to allow current flow throughfilament 108 at temperatures less than or equal to T_(threshold). Sensor106 may be embodied, by way of example, as a positive temperaturecoefficient (PTC) thermistor, the resistance of which changes withfalling temperature, examples of which are well known in the art.

In the first temperature state of quality indicator 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, wherein quality indicator 100 is at a temperatureT>T_(threshold), current flow through electronic temperature sensorcircuitry 102 is prevented, such that filament 108 is not heated.Thermal paper 122, located abutting filament 108 and viewable throughwindow 124, is therefore not heated by filament 108 and thus retains itsoriginal appearance. By way of example, thermal paper 122 may be whitewhen in an un-heated state. Window 124, backed by thermal paper 122,thus appears to be white or blank when quality indicator 100 is at atemperature above the low-temperature threshold, as seen most clearly inFIG. 1B. Window 124 in combination with thermal paper 122 thus providesa human-readable visually sensible indication of quality indicator 100being at a temperature above the low-temperature threshold.

Upon quality indicator 100 falling to a temperature below T_(threshold),as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the exceedance of the low temperaturethreshold is preferably sensed by electronic sensor circuit 102, whichelectronic sensor circuit 102 responsively allows current to flow tofilament 108. By way of example, the resistance of sensor 106 maydecrease upon temperature T falling below T_(threshold), such thatcurrent is allowed to flow to filament 108, thereby heating filament108. It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention that the falling of indicator 100 to below a thresholdtemperature thereof is output in the form of heat, in this case, by wayof the heating of filament 108.

It is appreciated that sensor 106 is preferably of a type tosubstantially entirely prevent current flowing through circuitry 102 attemperatures above T_(threshold) and to permit current to flow throughcircuitry 102 at temperatures below T_(threshold) in a discrete manner.Alternatively, sensor 106 may allow minimal current to flow throughcircuitry 102 at temperatures above T_(threshold), which minimal currentis not sufficient to significantly heat filament 108, and to allowincreased current to flow through circuitry 102 at temperatures belowT_(threshold), which increased current is sufficient to significantlyheat filament 108.

Upon filament 108 becoming heated, filament 108 in turn heats thermalpaper 122, which thermal paper 122 preferably undergoes a change invisual appearance thereupon. Thermal paper 122 may be in direct contactwith filament 108 or may be located in sufficiently close proximity tofilament 108 so as to be heated thereby. By way of example, as seen mostclearly in FIG. 2A, thermal paper 122 may darken upon being heated byfilament 108. More particularly, thermal paper 122 may change from whiteto black upon being heated, although it is appreciated alternative colorchanges in thermal paper 122 may also be possible.

As best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 2B, window 124, backed bydarkened thermal paper 122, thus changes in appearance from blank, asseen in FIG. 1B, to dark or opaque when quality indicator 100 falls to atemperature below the low-temperature threshold. Window 124 incombination with thermal paper 122 thus provides a human-readablevisually sensible indication of quality indicator 100 having fallen to atemperature below the low-temperature threshold when quality indicator100 is in the temperature state shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, due to thechange in visual appearance thereof.

It is appreciated that the human-readable visually sensible indicationof quality indicator 100 having fallen below T_(threshold) presented inFIGS. 1A-2B in a highly simplified form, as a single colorable window124. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thehuman-readable visually sensible indication may alternatively beembodied in more complex forms, including multiple transparent windowswhich may change appearance so as to bear a human-readable text messageor symbol upon the thermochromic material therebeneath changing colordue to heating.

Thus, by way of example, colorable window 124 may be configured asmultiple transparent windows in the form of text such as ‘TOO COLD’. Inthe case that upper surface 126 is white, the text will not be visiblewhen quality indicator 100 is at a temperature above the low-temperaturethreshold, due to the transparent windows being backed by a whitesurface formed by thermal paper 122 and thus not being visuallydetectable by a user of quality indicator 100. Upon quality indicator100 falling to a temperature below the low-temperature threshold andthermal paper 122 being heated by filament 108, thermal paper 122 willchange from white to black, thereby forming a black backing for thetransparent windows in white surface 126. Consequently, the textualmessage ‘TOO COLD’ borne by white surface 126 will become visible andinterpretable by a user.

It is further appreciated that the visually sensible indication ofquality indicator 100 having fallen to a temperature below T_(threshold)is not limited to being a human-readable visually sensible indicationand may additionally or alternatively be a machine-readable indication,as seen in the case of a quality indicator 300 illustrated in FIGS.3A-4B.

Quality indicator 300 may generally resemble quality indicator 100 inall relevant aspects thereof, with the exception of the configuration ofupper surface 126. Whereas upper surface 126 of quality indicator 100 isillustrated as a generally blank surface, including a single transparentwindow 124, upper surface 126 of quality indicator 300 is preferablyembodied as a barcoded surface, including a machine-readable barcode 302comprising at least one transparent window, here embodied as a pluralityof transparent windows 324. It is appreciated that barcode 302 is notlimited to being formed on upper surface 126 and may alternatively belocated on other exterior surfaces of quality indicator 300, inaccordance with the design requirements thereof.

When quality indicator 300 is at a temperature T>T_(threshold), as shownin FIGS. 3A and 3B, current flow to filament 108 is prevented byelectronic sensor circuitry 102, such that filament 108 is not heated.Thermal paper 122, located abutting filament 108, is therefore notheated by filament 108 when quality indicator 300 is in this state andthus retains its original appearance. By way of example, thermal paper122 may be white when in an un-heated state. Windows 324, backed bythermal paper 122, thus appear to be white or blank when qualityindicator 300 is at a temperature above the low-temperature threshold,as seen most clearly in FIG. 3B.

In this state, barcode 302 appears to terminate at a final indicium 326and windows 324 do not form a part of barcode 302. Barcode 302 ispreferably machine-readable by a standard barcode scanner in this state,thereby providing a machine-readable visually sensible indication ofquality indicator 300 being at a temperature above the low-temperaturethreshold. Alternatively, barcode 302 may be unreadable in this state.

Upon quality indicator 300 falling to a temperature below T_(threshold),as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the exceedance of the low temperaturethreshold is preferably sensed by electronic sensor circuitry 102, whichcircuitry 102 responsively allows current to flow to filament 108. Byway of example, the resistance of electric sensor circuitry 102 maychange upon temperature T falling below T_(threshold), such that currentis allowed to flow to filament 108, thereby heating filament 108. It isa particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionthat the falling of indicator 300 to below a threshold temperaturethereof is output in the form of heat, in this case, by way of theheating of filament 108.

Heated filament 108 in turn preferably heats thermal paper 122, whichthermal paper 122 preferably undergoes a change in visual appearancethereupon. By way of example, as seen most clearly in FIG. 4A, thermalpaper 122 may darken upon being heated by filament 108. Moreparticularly, thermal paper 122 may change from white to black uponbeing heated. Thermal paper 122 may become substantially entirely black,as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, thermal paper 122 may undergoa localized change in visual appearance such as blackening only in aregion immediately proximal to filament 108.

As best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 4B, windows 324, backedby darkened thermal paper 122, appear to be black when quality indicator300 is at a temperature below the low-temperature threshold, theblackened regions visible through windows 324 forming a part of barcode302, beyond indicium 326. As a result of additional regions beingappended to barcode 302, barcode 302 preferably changes from the firststate thereof illustrated in FIG. 3B to a second state thereof,illustrated in FIG. 4B. The change in state of barcode 302 may be from afirst readable state of FIG. 3B to a second readable state of FIG. 4B,from a first readable state of FIG. 3B to an unreadable state of FIG. 4Bor from an unreadable state of FIG. 3B to a readable state of FIG. 4B.The reading of barcode 302 by a conventional barcode scanner thus mayprovide an indication of possible exceedance of a low-temperaturethreshold by quality indicator 300.

It is appreciated that barcode 302 may be any type of standardmachine-readable barcode, as are well known in the art, such that thereading of barcode 302 by a barcode scanner may be used to indicatepossible exposure of quality indicator 300 or an item with which qualityindicator 300 is associated to a temperature below the low-temperaturethreshold.

It will be understood that windows 324 are not limited to being locatedat a terminus of barcode 302 and may alternatively be positioned atother locations within barcode 302, such as at the start or in middle ofbarcode 302. It will be further understood that windows 324 are notlimited to the particular configuration illustrated herein and may beformed as a variety of shapes and numbers of transparent windows,adapted to form part of a readable barcode or to render a barcodeunreadable upon being colored.

Furthermore, it will be understood that upper surface 126 in combinationwith windows 324 may be configured such that prior to exceedance of apredetermined threshold by indicator 300, upper surface 126 includingwindows 324 is entirely blank and does not display a barcode. Uponexceedance of the threshold and consequent heating and darkening ofthermal paper 122, a readable barcode may become visible as a result ofthe coloring of windows 324.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are simplified partiallyconceptual diagrams illustrating the functioning of electronic circuitryuseful in a quality indicator of types shown in FIGS. 1A-4B.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is provided a partially conceptualdiagram illustrating the functioning of electronic sensing circuitry502, operative in a quality indicator of the present invention such asquality indicator 100 or 300. It is appreciated that electronic sensingcircuitry 502 is representative of the functioning of highly simplifiedelectronic sensing circuitry 102 presented in FIGS. 1A-4B.

Electronic sensing circuitry 502 preferably includes a power supply suchas a battery 504 and preferably exhibits electronic switchingfunctionality, here conceptually represented in the form of anelectronic switch 505. It is appreciated that electronic switch 505 doesnot necessarily correspond to a physical switch present in circuitry502, but rather represents switching functionality performed bycircuitry 502.

Electronic sensing circuitry 502 further preferably includes anelectronic sensing element 506 for controlling the switchingfunctionality represented by switch 505 and a heat-generating element,here shown in the form of a heat-generating filament 508. Circuitry 502also may include a mechanism for preventing the overheating thereof,here shown in the form of a fuse 509.

The operation of circuitry 502 will be exemplified henceforth withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B in the context of sensor 506 being alow-temperature sensor and circuitry 502 hence operating as electronictemperature sensing circuitry within a low-temperature exceedancequality indicator, such as quality indicator 100 or 300. It isappreciated, however, that sensor 506 may be any type of electronicsensor component or components for sensing exceedance of a predeterminedthreshold by a particular parameter to be monitored by a qualityindicator of the present invention, which parameter may be at least oneof temperature, humidity, time above or below a given temperature ortemperature range, impact or other parameters.

Turning now to FIG. 5A, circuitry 502 is seen to be at a temperatureT>T_(threshold), where T_(threshold) a low-temperature threshold of aquality indicator with which is circuitry 502 is preferably associated.The state of circuitry 502 as represented in FIG. 5A thus corresponds tothe state of quality indicator 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B and to the stateof quality indicator 300 in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The temperature ofcircuitry 502 is preferably sensed by low-temperature sensor 506. Inthis state, circuitry 502 prevents current flow to filament 508, thusoperating as an open circuit, as represented by the open state ofconceptual switch 505.

Upon the temperature falling to below T_(threshold), as shown in FIG.5B, circuitry 502 allows current to flow to filament 508, thus operatingas a closed circuit, as represented by the closed state of conceptualswitch 505. This corresponds to the state of quality indicator 100 inFIGS. 2A and 2B and the state of quality indicator 300 in FIGS. 4A and4B. Filament 508 heats up due to the flow of current therethrough,thereby providing a low-temperature threshold exceedance output in theform of heat. Overheating of filament 508 is preferably prevented by thepresence of fuse 509. Fuse 509 is preferably configured to melt orotherwise form an open-circuit at a predetermined current level and/ortime, sufficient to allow a change in visual appearance of thethermochromic material to occur prior thereto.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a circuit diagram showingelectronic components useful in a quality indicator of types shown inFIGS. 1A-4B. It is appreciated that in contrast to FIGS. 5A and 5B,which drawings are partially conceptual diagrams primarily illustratingfunctionality of electronic circuitry 502, FIG. 6 illustrates a physicalarrangement of electronic components found to be useful in a qualityindicator of the present invention.

As seen in FIG. 6, electronic sensing circuitry 602 may include abattery 604, a temperature sensor 606 and a fuse 607. In thisembodiment, fuse 607 preferably acts both as a heat-generating elementand as a heat-regulating element for preventing overheating, such thatthe need for two separate elements respectively individually carryingout these functions is obviated.

Upon exceedance of a predetermined threshold temperature being sensed bytemperature sensor 606, an electrical property of temperature sensor606, such as resistance, may change, thereby allowing current to flowthrough circuitry 602. Fuse 607 is consequently heated and maysubsequently melt or otherwise form an open circuit at a given currentlevel. It is appreciated that circuitry 602 may also include otherelectrical components, generally designated by the reference number 610,to ensure optimum functioning thereof.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are simplifiedrespective exploded and assembled view illustrations of a qualityindicator constructed and operative in accordance with a furtherpreferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a first statethereof.

As seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is provided a quality indicator 700,preferably operating as a visually sensible indicator of at least oneparameter, which at least one parameter preferably includes at least oneof temperature, time above or below a given temperature or temperaturerange, humidity and impact. Quality indicator 700 preferably includeselectronic sensing circuitry 702 for sensing at least when the at leastone parameter monitored by quality indicator 700 exceeds a predeterminedthreshold. Upon exceedance of a predetermined threshold by qualityindicator 700, electronic sensing circuitry 702 preferably provides athreshold exceedance output sensible as heat. The heat output ofelectronic circuitry 702 preferably causes an alteration in the visualappearance of quality indicator 700, thereby providing a visualindication of quality indicator 700 having exceeded the predeterminedthreshold, as will be detailed henceforth.

Here, by way of example, electronic sensing circuitry 702 is shown toinclude a battery 704 electrically connected to at least one electronicsensing element, here embodied as an electronic sensor 706. Sensor 706may be any type of electronic component or routed arrangement ofelectronic components for electronically sensing exceedance of apredetermined threshold by the at least one parameter monitored byquality indicator 700. By way of example, sensor 706 may be at least oneof a heat sensor, time and temperature sensor, humidity sensor andimpact sensor.

Sensing circuitry 702 further preferably includes a firstheat-generating filament 708 and a second heat-generating filament 709,which filaments 708, 709 are preferably respectively operative toprovide outputs indicating exceedance of respective thresholds, assensed by sensor circuitry 702, which outputs are sensible as heat.Battery 704, sensor 706 and filaments 708, 709 comprising circuitry 702may be located on a supporting surface of quality indicator 700, such asa PCB layer 710. It is appreciated that circuitry 702 is shown in ahighly simplified form in FIGS. 7A and 7B and may include additionaland/or alternative electronic components, as exemplified earlier withreference to FIGS. 5A-6.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present inventionthat electronic sensing circuitry 702 is disabled and hence sensor 706irresponsive to changes in the parameter sensed thereby, prior to theactivation of quality label 700. Circuitry 702 may be activated by wayof an actuator element, here embodied as an actuation pull strip 712.Actuation pull strip 712 may be embodied as a displaceable pull stripfor actuating circuitry 702 upon removal thereof. By way of example,actuation pull strip 712 may be connected to battery 704, such thatbattery 704 is activated upon removal of pull strip 712.

Quality indicator 700 further preferably includes a heat-responsivevisually sensible display 720, responsive to the threshold exceedanceoutputs of filaments 708 and 709 of circuitry 702. Heat-responsivevisually sensible display 720 preferably employs a thermochromicmaterial 722, such as a thermal paper 722 preferably located withrespect to filaments 708 and 709 such that an appearance of thermalpaper 722 is modified upon filament 708 and/or 709 becoming hot,following exceedance of the threshold. The change in appearance ofthermal paper 722 thus provides a visually sensible indication ofexceedance of a predetermined threshold by the at least one monitoredparameter.

Here, by way of example, the change in appearance of thermochromicmaterial 722 is preferably visible by way of a plurality of transparentwindows 724 preferably formed in an exterior upper surface 726 ofquality indicator 700. An appearance of transparent windows 724 isthereby preferably readably indicative of whether quality indicator 700has exceeded a predetermined threshold, as will be detailed henceforth.

Quality indicator 700 is preferably generally of type described, interalia, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,776 of the applicant, which is incorporatedherein by reference. Thus, heat-responsive visually sensible display 720further preferably includes a multiplicity of barcodes 730 preferablyformed on surface 726 such that plurality of transparent windows 724 areincorporated within multiplicity of barcodes 730.

Here, by way of example, plurality of barcodes 730 is shown to include afirst barcode 732 lying in a first tier I and incorporating a firstportion of a first transparent window 734; a second barcode 736 lying ina second tier II, and including a second portion of the firsttransparent window 734, a first portion of a second transparent window738 and a first portion of third transparent window 740; a third barcode742 lying in a third tier III and incorporating a second portion ofsecond transparent window 738 and a second portion of third transparentwindow 740; and a fourth barcode 744 lying in a fourth tier TV andincorporating a third and final portion of third transparent window 740,It is appreciated that first—third transparent windows 734, 738 and 740are particularly preferred embodiments of plurality of transparentwindows 724.

In the illustrated embodiment of quality indicator 700, there arepreferably four operational states, namely a first operational stateprior to activation of circuitry 702 in which first state a first one ofmultiplicity of barcodes 730 is machine-readable and the remaining onesof multiplicity of barcodes 730 are unreadable; a second operationalstate following activation of circuitry 702 and prior to exceedance of afirst threshold by quality indicator 700, in which second state a secondone of multiplicity of barcodes 730 is machine-readable and theremaining ones of multiplicity of barcodes 730 are unreadable; a thirdoperational state following activation of circuitry 702 and uponexceedance of a first threshold by quality indicator 700, in which thirdstate a third one of multiplicity of barcodes 730 is machine-readableand the remaining ones of multiplicity of barcodes 730 are unreadableand a fourth operational stale following activation of circuitry 702 andupon exceedance of a second threshold, in which fourth state a fourthone of multiplicity of barcodes 730 is machine-readable and theremaining ones of multiplicity of barcodes 730 are unreadable.

The operation of quality indicator 700 and particularly the transitionbetween the operational states thereof responsive to sensing ofparameters monitored thereby will now be exemplified and furtherdetailed with reference to FIGS. 7A-10B, with reference to whichdrawings quality indicator 700 is described as preferably operating as avisually sensible indicator of temperature and of temperature for agiven time. However, it is appreciated that the following descriptionalso applies to the operation of quality indicator 700 as a visuallysensible indicator of parameters other than temperature and time aboveor below a given temperature or temperature range, such as humidityand/or impact, with appropriate modifications as will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art.

In the first operational state of quality indicator 700 illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, activation pull strip 712 has not been removed fromquality indicator 700 and circuitry 702 is therefore inactive andirresponsive to changes in temperature. Thermal paper 722 is preferablylocated interfacing multiplicity of barcodes 730 and activation pullstrip 712. Thermal paper 722 preferably extends along some but not allof an anterior portion of surface 726 such that first transparent window734 is backed by activation pull strip 712 and second and thirdtransparent windows 738 and 740 are backed by thermal paper 722 whenquality indicator 700 is in an assembled state, as shown in FIG. 7B.Activation pull strip 712 is preferably black, such that transparentwindow 734 is backed by a black surface formed by activation pull strip712. As seen most clearly in FIG. 7B, transparent window 734 thusappears to be black, thereby rendering first barcoded region 732 ofwhich blackened transparent window 734 forms a part, to be in amachine-readable state.

Thermal paper 722 is preferably white, such that transparent windows 738and 740 are backed by a white surface formed by thermal paper 722. Asseen most clearly in FIG. 7B, transparent windows 738 and 740 thusappear to be white, thereby rendering second, third and fourth barcodedregions 736, 742 and 744 of which whitened transparent windows 738, 740form a part to be unreadable.

It is understood that in the first operational state of qualityindicator 700 a single barcode, namely barcode 732, is machine readablewhereas all of the remaining barcodes of multiplicity of barcodes 730are unreadable. The scanning of multiplicity of barcodes 730 by aconventional barcode scanner therefore may be used to confirm thatquality indicator 700 has not yet been activated. It will be appreciatedthat this would be the case irrespective of the temperature of qualityindicator 700, since in this first operational state circuitry 702 hasnot yet been switched on and is thus insensitive to changes intemperature.

Turning now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrating the second operationalstate of quality indicator 700, activation pull strip 712 is removed,thereby activating circuitry 702 and hence quality indicator 700. Inthis embodiment of quality indicator 700, electronic sensing circuitry702 is preferably operative as electronic temperature sensing circuitry,for sensing when the temperature of quality indicator 700 lies within anacceptable temperature range, not less than a first predeterminedlow-temperature threshold T_(low threshold) and not greater than asecond predetermined high-temperature threshold T_(high threshold). Forthis purpose, sensor 706 is a temperature sensor which sensor 106 may beset to any desired low-temperature threshold such as, by way of example,2° C. as well as to any desired high-temperature and time threshold suchas, by way of example, 8° C. for more than 12 hours.

Sensor 706 is preferably operative to prevent current flow throughfilaments 708, 709 at temperatures within the acceptable temperaturerange, to allow current flow through filament 708 at temperatures lessthan or equal to the low-temperature threshold and to allow current flowthrough filament 709 at temperatures greater than the high-temperaturethreshold for a given threshold period of time.

It is appreciated that although sensor 706 is illustrated herein as asingle element, sensor 706 may alternatively be embodied as two or moreindividual sensors, individually respectively connected to first andsecond filaments 708 and 709 for control thereof.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, secondfilament 709 may be obviated and sensor 706 may operate as alow-temperature sensor only, which sensor may be set to a givenlow-temperature threshold so as to control current flow to firstfilament 708. In this embodiment, exceedance of the high temperaturethreshold for a predetermined period of time by quality indicator 700may be indicated by thermal paper 722 of display 720 independent of theoutput of circuitry 702, as will be further detailed henceforth withreference to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

In the second operational state of quality indicator 700 illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, quality indicator 700 lies within an acceptabletemperature range, for example between 2 and 8° C. In this state,current flow through electronic temperature sensor circuitry 702 isprevented by electronic sensor components 706, such that neither one offilaments 708 and 709 are heated. Thermal paper 722, located abuttingfilaments 708 and 709 and viewable through windows 738 and 740, istherefore not heated when quality indicator 700 is in this state andthus retains its original white appearance. Second and third transparentwindows 738 and 740 thus remain white in this second operational state.

However, due to the removal of activation pull strip 712, firsttransparent window 734 is no longer backed by a black surface formed byactivation pull strip 712 but rather by PCB layer 710, which PCB layer710 is preferably white. First transparent window 734 therefore changesin appearance from black to white upon activation of quality indicator700. As a result, first barcode 732 of which first transparent window734 forms a part changes from the readable state shown in FIG. 7B to anunreadable state shown in FIG. 8B. Preferably simultaneously, secondbarcode 736 of which first transparent window 734 also forms a partchanges from the unreadable state shown in FIG. 7B to a readable stateshown in FIG. 8B.

It is understood that in the second operational state of qualityindicator 700 a single barcode, namely second barcode 736 of tier II, ismachine readable whereas all of the remaining barcodes of multiplicityof barcodes 730 are unreadable. Multiplicity of barcodes 730, includingplurality of transparent windows 724 backed by thermal paper 722,therefore forms a heat-responsive visually sensible display, thescanning of which display by a conventional barcode scanner may be usedto indicate that quality indicator 700 has been activated and lieswithin an acceptable temperature range.

Turning now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, illustrating a third operational stateof quality indicator 700, upon quality indicator 700 falling to atemperature below T_(low) threshold the exceedance of the lowtemperature threshold is preferably sensed by electric sensor circuitry702, which circuitry 702 responsively allows current to flow to firstfilament 708. By way of example, the resistance of sensor 706 may changeupon temperature T falling below T_(low) threshold, such that current isallowed to flow to first filament 708, thereby selectively heating firstfilament 708. It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention that the falling of indicator 700 to below athreshold temperature thereof is output in the form of heat, in thiscase, by way of the heating of filament 708.

Upon first filament 708 becoming heated, filament 708 in turn heatsthermal paper 722, which thermal paper 722 preferably undergoes a changein visual appearance thereupon. By way of example, as seen most clearlyin FIG. 9A, thermal paper 722 may darken in a first region 750 thereof,which region 750 is preferably immediately proximal to filament 708.

As best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 9A, second transparentwindow 738 of multiplicity of barcodes 730 is preferably backed by firstregion 750, such that second transparent window 738 changes inappearance from white to black upon region 750 darkening, as seen inFIG. 9B. The blackening of transparent window 738 does not affect firstbarcode 732 and fourth barcode 744, neither of which barcodes 732 and744 second transparent window 738 forms a part. Both of first and fourthbarcodes 732 and 744 therefore remain unreadable in this thirdoperational state. However, second barcode 736 of which secondtransparent window 738 forms a part changes from the readable stateshown in FIG. 8B to an unreadable state shown in FIG. 9B. Preferablysimultaneously, third barcode 742 of which second transparent window 738also forms a part changes from the unreadable state shown in FIG. 8B toa readable state shown in FIG. 9B.

It is understood that in the third operational state of qualityindicator 700 a single barcode, namely third barcode 742, is machinereadable whereas all of the remaining barcodes of multiplicity ofbarcodes 730 are unreadable. Multiplicity of barcodes 730, includingplurality of transparent windows 724 backed by thermal paper 722,therefore forms a heat-responsive visually sensible display, thescanning of which by a conventional barcode scanner may be used toindicate that quality indicator 700 has been activated and has exceededa low-temperature threshold.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrating the fourthoperational state of quality indicator 700, in which fourth statequality indicator 700 rises to a temperature above T_(high threshold)for longer than a given time, such as to above 8° C. for more than 12hours. In this state, the exceedance of the high temperature thresholdfor a given period of time is preferably sensed by electronic sensorcircuitry 702, which circuitry 702 responsively allows current to flowto second filament 709, thereby heating second filament 709.

Upon second filament 709 becoming heated, filament 709 in turn heatsthermal paper 722, which thermal paper 722 preferably undergoes a changein visual appearance thereupon. By way of example, as seen most clearlyin FIG. 10A, thermal paper 722 may darken in a second region 752thereof, which second region 752 is preferably immediately proximal tosecond filament 709.

It is appreciated that thermal paper 722 may alternatively darken due toan increase in temperature of indicator 700, independent of an output ofelectronic temperature sensing circuitry 702. In this case, secondfilament 709 may be obviated and thermal paper 722 may darken in anon-localized manner upon indicator 700 rising to above a giventemperature.

As best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 10A, third transparentwindow 740 of multiplicity of barcodes 730 is preferably backed bysecond region 752, such that third transparent window 740 changes inappearance from white to black upon the darkening of region 752 or oflarger regions of thermal paper 722, as seen in FIG. 10B.

The blackening of transparent window 740 does not affect first barcode732, which first barcode 732 therefore remains unreadable in this fourthoperational state. However, third barcode 742 of which third transparentwindow 740 forms a part preferably changes from the readable state shownin FIG. 9B to an unreadable state shown in FIG. 10B. Preferablysimultaneously, fourth barcode 744 of which third transparent window 740also forms a part changes from the unreadable state shown in FIG. 9B toa readable state shown in FIG. 10B. It is appreciated that thirdtransparent window 740 also forms a part of second barcode 736. Secondbarcode 736 preferably remains unreadable, notwithstanding the coloringof third transparent window 740.

It is appreciated that the fourth operational state of quality indicator700 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B corresponds to the case in whichquality indicator 700 exceeds a high temperature threshold for a givenperiod of time following exceedance of a low temperature threshold, asillustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. However, it will be understood that analternative scenario is also possible, in which quality indicator 700may exceed a high temperature threshold for a given period of timewithout prior exceedance of a low temperature threshold.

In the case that quality indicator 700 exceeds a high temperaturethreshold for a given period of time without prior exceedance of a lowtemperature threshold, region 752 of thermal paper 722 will darken dueto the heating of filament 709 whereas region 750 of thermal paper 722will remain blank. Third transparent window 740 backed by second region752 of thermal paper 722 will therefore become opaque whereas secondtransparent window 738 will remain clear.

The coloring of third transparent window 740, which third transparentwindow 740 extends through second—fourth barcoded regions 736, 742 744,preferably causes fourth barcoded region 744 to change from anunreadable to a readable state, corresponding to the state of tier IVshown in FIG. 10B. Preferably simultaneously, the coloring of thirdtransparent window 740 renders second and third barcode regions 736 and742 unreadable, due to the coloring of a portion thereof. Additionally,first barcode 732 remains in an unreadable state.

It is understood that in the fourth operational state of qualityindicator 700, upon exceedance of a high temperature threshold for agiven period of time, a single barcode, namely fourth barcode 744 ismachine readable whereas all of the remaining barcodes of multiplicityof barcodes 730 are preferably unreadable.

It is appreciated that this is the case irrespective of whether or notquality indicator 700 exceeded a low temperature threshold prior to theexceedance of the high temperature and time threshold, as illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B. The readability of fourth barcode 744 is thusindicative of quality indicator 700 having exceeded a high temperatureand time threshold, but is not indicative of whether quality indicator700 also exceeded a low temperature threshold prior thereto.

The modification of thermal paper 722 upon heating thereof is preferablyirreversible, such that first and second regions 750 and 752 continue toappear opaque following exceedance of predetermined temperaturethresholds as sensed and indicated by circuitry 702, independent of thepresent conditions to which quality indicator is subject. As a result,the scanning of barcodes 730 of quality indicator 700 serves to providea visually sensible indication of possible exposure of quality indicator700 to unacceptable temperature conditions, irrespective of the presentstate of the quality indicator.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly claimedhereinbelow. Rather, the scope of the invention includes variouscombinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinaboveas well as modifications and variations thereof as would occur topersons skilled in the art upon reading the forgoing description withreference to the drawings and which are not in the prior art.

1. A visually sensible indicator of temperature comprising: electronictemperature sensing circuitry sensing at least when a temperatureexceeds at least one predetermined temperature threshold and providingat least one corresponding threshold exceedance output which is sensibleas heat; and a heat-responsive visually sensible display which isresponsive to said at least one threshold exceedance output forproviding at least one visually sensible indication indicating that saidtemperature has exceeded said predetermined temperature threshold, saidelectronic sensing circuitry comprising a heat-generating andheat-regulating element, said heat-generating and heat-regulatingelement operative to generate said threshold exceedance output which issensible as heat and to prevent overheating of said electronic sensingcircuitry.
 2. A visually sensible indicator of temperature according toclaim 1 and wherein said visually sensible indication is machinereadable.
 3. A visually sensible indicator of temperature according toclaim 1 and wherein said visually sensible indication is human readable.4. A visually sensible indicator of temperature according to claim 2 andwherein said visually sensible indication is at least a part of a barcode.
 5. A visually sensible indicator of temperature according to claim2 and wherein said visually sensible indication is rendering a bar codeunreadable. 6-9. (canceled)
 10. A visually sensible indicator oftemperature according to claim 1 and wherein said heat-responsivevisually sensible display employs a thermochromic material. 11.(canceled)
 12. A visually sensible indicator of at least one parameter,said indicator comprising: electronic sensing circuitry sensing at leastwhen said at least one parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold andproviding a threshold exceedance output which is sensible as heat; and aheat-responsive visually sensible display which is responsive to saidthreshold exceedance output for providing a visually sensible indicationindicating that said at least one parameter has exceeded saidpredetermined threshold, said electronic sensing circuitry comprising aheat-generating and heat-regulating element, said heat-generating andheat-regulating element operative to generate said threshold exceedanceoutput which is sensible as heat and to prevent overheating of saidelectronic sensing circuitry.
 13. A visually sensible indicator of atleast one parameter according to claim 12 and wherein said visuallysensible indication is machine readable.
 14. A visually sensibleindicator of at least one parameter according to claim 12 and whereinsaid visually sensible indication is human readable.
 15. A visuallysensible indicator of at least one parameter according to claim 13 andwherein said visually sensible indication is at least a part of a barcode.
 16. A visually sensible indicator of at least one parameteraccording to claim 13 and wherein said visually sensible indication isrendering a bar code unreadable. 17-20. (canceled)
 21. A visuallysensible indicator of at least one parameter according to claim 12 andwherein said heat-responsive visually sensible display employs athermochromic material.
 22. (canceled)